XFL WEEK 2 PREVIEW & PICKS

BY ADAM GREENE

Our XFL 3.0 debut went off pretty much without a hitch and, compared to last year’s USFL opening week display, the football wasn’t that bad. It could have a lot to do with what looks like, on the outside, a superior player pool.

While the players in this league are vying for attention and a shot at the NFL, one head coach might have already worked his way back into an assistant conversation as Houston Roughnecks head man Wade Phillips absolutely put on a clinic in his XFL head coaching debut. That defense looked  a lot like his defenses that helped the Denver Broncos win a Super Bowl and the Los Angeles Rams get to one.

Benefiting from that is my defensive player of the week — Trent Harris, who piled up four sacks in Week 1. On offense, I’m giving that award to Roughnecks quarterback Brandon Silvers, though he needs to protect the ball better. It was not exactly the best day for quarterbacking in professional football history by a longshot.

Since we have a condensed league and a condensed season, we’re putting combining the weekly Power Rankings with the picks. We’re all learning as we go here.

XFL WEEK 1 POWER RANKINGS

1. HOUSTON ROUGHNECKS (1-0)

This roster looked like the worst in the league in the preseason and played the best in the opener. Who knew that having a great former NFL coach running your team, Wade Phillips, could make such a difference?

2. ST. LOUIS BATTLEHAWKS (1-0)

St. Louis won the most exciting game, not only with a last second touchdown thrown, but one that harkened back to the city’s Super Bowl history with the St. Louis Rams.

3. WASHINGTON DC DEFENDERS (1-0)

They won, so you have to rank them here, but I was not impressed with what I saw in DC.

4. ARLINGTON RENEGADES (1-0)

I could write the same thing for Arlington, but, if anything, they looked worse in victory than the team they beat.

5. LAS VEGAS VIPERS (0-1)

Two stupid interceptions kept the Vipers out of the No. 2 spot. They should make up for it this week.

6. SEATTLE SEA DRAGONS (0-1)

They might look like a mess all season if Week 1 is any indication, but Seattle will at least be fun to watch.

7. ORLANDO GAURDIANS (0-1)

To build up a quarterback, you don’t need to pull him so quickly. The Guardians should be better than this, but they can’t hit the panic button this fast.

8. SAN ANTONIO BRAHMAS (0-1)

The question we have to ask ourselves after how bad this team looked in Week 1, will they be worse than the USFL Michigan Panthers? Is it possible?

We’re still figuring this whole thing out, but we have lines, odds and totals with which to do it. So let’s take a look.

THURSDAY

ST. LOUIS BATTLEHAWKS AT SEATTLE SEA DRAGONS (-3, O/U: 36.5)

The Battlehawks (1-0) opened up their 2023 XFL campaign with a come from behind 18-15 victory over the San Antonio Brahmas last Sunday. AJ McCarron finished his day 18 of 26 for 190 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He was sacked five times. Brian Hill led the team with six carries for 55 yards and Austin Proehl hauled in four catches for 49 yards and caught the game winning touchdown in the same stadium in which his dad, Ricky, propelled the then St. Louis Rams to their first Super Bowl (and Super Bowl championship) during the 1999-2000 NFL season. Ben DeLuca led the team with eight tackles, Nate Meadors picked off a pass and Ejijah Hamilton recorded two sacks.

Seattle (0-1) maybe got the best highlight play of the opening weekend with quarterback Ben DiNucci’s underhand touchdown flip to Josh Gordon in the end zone, but it wasn’t enough as the Sea Dragons fell 22-18 to the DC Defenders. DiNucci ended his afternoon 35 of 54 for 282 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He was sacked twice and fumbled once. Brendon Knox rushed 11 times for 31 yards. Gordon caught six passes for 74 yards and a TD. Alijah Holder and Antwaun Jackson had four tackles apiece. Seattle did not record a sack.

AJ McCarron’s NFL (and big game experience) showed up when it mattered in Week One. While no one in the XFL put up great rushing numbers, St. Louis was able to find some success there and the fact that the Sea Dragons can produce no real pressure should be a real problem. Battlehawks 23, Sea Dragons 18

SATURDAY

WASHINGTON DC DEFENDERS AT LAS VEGAS VIPERS (-3.5, O/U: 36)

DC (1-0) needed a fourth quarter comeback but downed the Seattle Sea Dragons 22-18 in their XFL opener last Sunday. They did it in spite of poor quarterback play from Jordan Ta’amu, who finished 8 of 19 for 86 yards, no touchdowns and a pick. He did rush for a score. Ryquell Armstead had eight carries for 30 yards. Lucky Jackson was the only Defenders wide out to record more than one reception. He ended with four for 25 yards. DeJuan Neal ended his day with eight tackles. The defense recorded five sacks and Michael Joseph nabbed two interceptions.

Two disastrous pick sixes from quarterback Luis Perez doomed the Vipers (0-1) in their season opener as they lost 22-20 to the Arlington Renegades. Other than his two, stupid, game altering plays, Perez was solid. He was 22 of 36 for 249 yards, three touchdowns and the aforementioned two interceptions. He was sacked three times. Vegas got nothing from its running backs, but Jeff Badet caught six passes for 81 yards and two touchdowns. Cinque Sweeting had three for 64 and a score and former Green Bay Packer Geronimo Allison hauled in four passes for 41 yards. Deontay Anderson led the team with five tackles. LaRon Stokes had 1.5 sacks and CJ Avery picked off a pass.

If you take away the dumb turnovers, Las Vegas wins in a walk. Washington has pretty much no offense to speak of. In light of that, I’m thinking Perez bounces back and so does Vegas. Vipers 24, Defenders 13

SUNDAY

SAN ANTONIO BRAHMAS AT ORLANDO GUARDIANS (+3, O/U: 39)

The Brahmas (0-1) couldn’t hold on in the fourth quarter of their 2023 XFL debut, falling 18-15 to the St. Louis Battlehawks after surrendering 15 points over the final frame. Jack Coan went 25 of 36 for 207 yards, one touchdown and an interception in the loss. He was sacked twice. Kalen Ballage put forth the best rushing performance of the day, carrying the ball 24 times for 84 yards. Jalen Tolliver hauled in three passes for 49 yards and Fred Brown had four receptions for 36 yards and a touchdown. Drew Lewis finished with five tackles. Mike Scott and Matthew Gotel each had two sacks.

Orlando (0-1) was absolutely decimated by the Houston Roughnecks last Saturday, getting blown out 33-12. Former Denver Broncos first round pick Paxton Lynch now has the inglorious distinction of being benched in four different professional football leagues (NFL, CFL, USFL and XFL and I still wouldn’t give up on him if I’m the Guardians and I’d put away the quick hook). Lynch was 14 of 20 for 125 yards, one touchdown that should have been a pick and a pick that was definitely a pick. Quinten Domady came in for Lynch and was just as bad, going 12 of 18 for142 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Both men were sacked a combined seven times. Jah-Maine Martin rushed nine times for 41 yards. Andrew Jamiel caught three passes for 80 yards and a TD. Cody Latimer had five receptions for 68 yards and a score.

With both these offenses struggling last week, I have to go with the one that at least seemed to pass the eye test. Just barely. Give Lynch another shot and ride with him a while, Orlando. What do you have to lose? Guardians 26, Brahmas 18

ARLINGTON RENEGADES AT HOUSTON ROUGHNECKS (-5, O/U: 40.5)

Arlington (1-0) benefited from two pick sixes served up complete with a side salad and baked potato with all the fixins’ in a 22-20 win over the Las Vegas Vipers last Saturday. Quarterback Drew Plitt can at least prove he played, finishing 19 of 25 for 172 yards, no touchdowns and an interception. He was sacked three times and rushed for 16 yards. Deveon Smith finished with 15 carries for 42 yards. Sal Cannella hauled in seven passes for 70 yards. Donald Payne led the team with seven tackles. Aaron Adeoye had 1.5 sacks and Tomasi Laulile and De Vante Bausby had an interception apiece.

The Roughnecks, in the preseason, did not look this strong to say the least. Brandon Silvers finished 26 of 42 fore 272 yards passing with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He was sacked three times. Max Borghi rushed eight times for 42 yards and a score. Deontay Burnett caught eight balls for 90 yards and a touchdown. Jontre Kirklin had five receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown. The defense looked a whole lot like an NFL Wade Phillips defense. Emmanuel Ellerbe led the team with eight tackles. Trent Harris had to get some NFL attention with four sacks. Sean Davis, Tavante Beckett and Ajene Harris all had an interception.

I thought Houston would be the worst team in the league a week ago and they apparently took offense to that. Arlington did nothing but step in front of a couple of stupid passes a week ago. I’m not sure this one will be close. Roughnecks 27, Renegades 10

Last week

Straight up: 2-2

Against the spread: 2-2

Season

Straight up: 2-2

Against the spread: 2-2

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

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